2025 CJN November | Page 28

The Charlotte Jewish News- October 2025- Page 28

From Stress to Strength: How Gratitude Supports Mental Health

By Howard Olshansky, JFS Executive Director

Think back to the last time you felt profoundly grateful – not the quick“ I’ m thankful for my family” around the Thanksgiving table, but a moment that stopped you in your tracks. Maybe someone showed up when you needed them most, or you caught yourself smiling for no reason at all. That feeling wasn’ t just emotional – it was biological.

That feeling wasn’ t just emotional – it was biological. Your shoulders dropped. Your breath eased. You felt lighter. That shift isn’ t imaginary; it’ s mental health at work. Gratitude gives the brain a brief, repeatable reset – one that, practiced daily, lowers stress and steadies mood.

Research shows that gratitude doesn’ t just lift our spirits; it rewires the brain. When we express appreciation, our brains release dopamine and serotonin – the same“ feel-good” chemicals that help regulate mood. Over time, this practice strengthens neural pathways that support optimism and resilience. Gratitude, quite literally, trains the mind to notice what’ s right instead of what’ s wrong.

In a world where stress, anxiety, and self-criticism often take center stage, gratitude offers a quiet but powerful reset. Studies have found that people who practice gratitude regularly have lower levels of cortisol – the body’ s stress hormone – and report fewer symptoms of depression. By shifting focus from what’ s missing to what’ s present, gratitude becomes a daily tool for calm and clarity.

Gratitude also deepens connection. Expressing thanks – whether through a quick text, a handwritten note, a warm embrace, or a simple acknowledgment – builds trust and strengthens relationships. Couples who practice gratitude report more satisfaction and resilience during conflict. Friends who express it feel closer. At work, gratitude improves morale and teamwork. It’ s a small act with far-reaching effects.

So how can you make gratitude part of your routine?

• Write it down: Jot three things you’ re grateful for each day.

• Say it out loud: Tell someone what you appreciate about them.

• Notice the trivial things: A warm cup of coffee, a sunny morning, a refreshing breeze, shared laugh – pause, acknowledge the experience, and let them register.

• End your day with reflection: Before bed, recall one good thing about your day, however small.

These moments don’ t take much time, but done consistently, they reframe how we experience life. In fact, they rewire your brain. Gratitude doesn’ t ignore struggle – it helps us face it with perspective.

As we enter this season of giving, it’ s worth remembering that gratitude isn’ t just about saying“ thank you.” It’ s a practice of seeing, feeling, and connecting – one that transforms stress into strength, and ordinary days into something more meaningful.

Engaging • Connecting • Healing

JFS Monthly Volunteers & Donors- Month of September 2025

Volunteers: Brian Ablitz, Jessica Alfandary, Marcia Arnholt, Mike Arnholt, Daniel Benjamin, Andrew Bernstein, Dan Coblenz, Jonathan Collman, Andrea Cronson, Erica Davison, Julie Dermack, Elayne DeMaria, Joni Deutsch, Sheryl Effren, Rachel Friedman, Meredith Gartner, Blair Goldsmith, Richard Goldsmith, Joann Goldstein, Jennifer Golynsky, Gail Halverson, Rebecca Hockfield, Bob Jacobson, Roman and Joshua Komanovsky, Jennifer Koss, Stephanie Kreitman, Glenn Kunkes, Marcia Lampert, Eric Lerner, Adina Loewensteiner, Matt Luftglass, Susie Meier, Terry Meyers, Frada Mozenter, Wendy Petricoff Barbara Rein, Nina Rose, Ethan Rudnet, Cindy Siesel, Stuart Singer, Lisa Somerson, Lauren Stark, Lorin Stiefel, Steve Teich, Nancy Wielunski, Amanda Zaidman, Jeff Zaleon Rosh Hashanah Volunteers Baking Rugalach: Uptown Chabad for Young Professionals, Suzy Catenazzo, Jennifer Koss

Baking Challah: Suzy Catenazzo, Ballantyne Jewish Center

Apple Collection: Charlotte Jewish Day School

Making Holiday Cards: Charlotte Jewish Day School, Susie Meier, Jennifer Koss

Assembling Holiday Bags: Susie Meier, Judith Goodwin

Delivering Holiday bags to seniors: Lauren Stark, Charlotte Jewish Day School, Barbara Rein, Joann Goldstein, Jodie Joseph, Rebecca Hockfield, Marcia Lampert, Terry Meyers, Jessica Alfandary, Richard Goldsmith, Sheryl Gerrard, Daryl Greenberg, Dionne Sands, Harry Sparks, Ballantyne Jewish Center

Special Thanks: Shai Fargian and Yafo Kitchen for donating Holiday meals, Rod Nadal and Golden Grains for donating Challahs, Temple Israel Men’ s Club for donating Challahs

Hadassah Meal Preppies: Denise Abadi, Lee and Jane Diamond, Leslie Goldfarb, June and Paul Hirschmann, Yvette Jacobson, Johnson and Wales, Penny Krieger, Judy Kaufmann, Betsy Olinger, Sara Oppenheim, Mary Jane Rosenthal, Debbie Silton,

Shalom Green: Thank to all Shalom Green volunteers for providing fresh produce to our pantry clients. Special thanks to Lisa Shpritz for gleaning produce for JFS clients

Food Pantry Donations: To our generous community: Thank you for continuing to donate to the food pantry. We continue to collect donations every other Wednesday at the portico entrance to the Blumenthal Center for Jewish Education Building on Shalom Park.

NOV 3- DEC 1

2025

DONATE GIFT CARDS AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Holocaust Survivor

JOIN US IN SUPPORTING THE JFS ANNUAL

DREIDEL

Single Parent with 2 Kids

Family with 4 Kids

Senior Couple

DRIVE

Help us bring connection, smiles, and light to children, grandparents, seniors, and families to celebrate this joyous holiday of Chanukah.

PARTICIPATION IS EASY:

Purchase a gift card and indicate the amount on the gift card, along with your contact information. Preferred types: Target, Walmart, grocery store, Amazon( hard copy, no e-cards)

JFS Tributes- Month of September 2025

Happy Birthday

Alan Sussman Paul and Lynn Edelstein

In Honor of

Rachel Green Edwin Green and Barbara Pomer

Bob Jacobson Amy Raz

Lauren Stark Amy Raz

In Memory of

Don Bernstein Margie Levenson

Charles Farber Bernie and Teri Ackerman Shelton and Ellen Goldstein

Marc Rose Bernie and Teri Ackerman Alan and Lee Blumenthal Ron and Jan Weiner

Lynn Rosenberg Shelton and Ellen Goldstein

DELIVER OR MAIL IT: Jewish Family Services 5007 Providence Rd., Ste. 105 Charlotte, NC 28226

DROP IT: JFS Food Pantry donation days( 11 / 5, 11 / 19) 10am-12pm at the Shalom Park Portico entrance( next to the Butterfly)

info @ jfscharlotte. org( 704) 364-6594